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by Christian C. Messier (Author), Klaus J. Puettmann (Author), David Coates (Author)
A Critique of Silviculture invites forestry professionals, ecologists, and land managers to reexamine the foundational principles of forest management in light of emerging science and shifting societal demands. As forests are increasingly expected to deliver not only timber but also biodiversity, resilience, and climate regulation, this book offers a timely reassessment of silviculture's role in meeting those complex goals.
The authors trace the historical roots of silvicultural practice, then explore how its traditional emphasis on uniformity and productivity is now being challenged by deeper insights from ecology and complexity science. Rather than managing forests as simplified systems, the book advocates for treating them as dynamic, adaptive networks--rich in variability, interdependence, and change. Drawing on new research and real-world examples, A Critique of Silviculture outlines a path toward more holistic and adaptive forest stewardship. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of how forest diversity supports ecological function, how resilience can be cultivated through management practices, and why bridging the gap between silviculture and ecological thinking is critical for sustainable outcomes. This book equips practitioners with a thoughtful framework for managing forests in a way that embraces complexity, honors ecological integrity, and responds to the evolving expectations placed on forested landscapes. It is essential reading for those committed to guiding the future of forestry with insight, flexibility, and purpose.Author Biography
Klaus J. Puettmann is professor of silviculture and forest ecology in the Department of Forest Science at Oregon State University in Corvallis.
K. David Coates is a senior research silviculturist with the Northern Interior Forest Region of the Ministry of Forests and Range in Smithers, British Columbia. Christian Messier is professor of forest ecology and director of the Center for Forest Studies in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Quebec at Montreal.
Number of Pages: 206
Dimensions: 0.5 x 8.9 x 5.9 IN
Publication Date: November 15, 2008
